Sound-box.



110. 818,119. PATENTED APR. 17, 1906.

SOUND BOX.

APPLIUATION FILED SEPT, 2, 1905.

Ill-l M 2 1255555; M [22 M 12 2 02, H v 5 my: j. Z 5

0442? M, y L A ZjJ/i defined as consisting of the combinations of Iphone.

Uhl i ltl) r rasr OFFICE.

SOUND-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April-1'7, 1906.

Application filed September 2. 1905. Serial No. 276,894.

To all whom it may concern;

I Be it known that'l, CHARLES A. G. PRI'rcn- ARD, residing at Cleveland,in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain newand useful Improvement in Sound-Boxes, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings.

M invention relates to sound-boxes, and has or its object to provide ina simple and inexpensive construction means for storing and feedingstyluses to the stylus tube or retainer, also means for securelyretainin the stylus in place during the operation 0% the machine, alsoan improved form of resilient support for the stylus tube or retainer.

Generally speaking the invention may be arts illustrated in thedrawings, described 1n the specification, and embodied in the claimshereto annexed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a sound-boxconstructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 represents a sideelevation, partially in section, of the device shown in Fig. '1. Fig. 3'represents an enlarged sectional detail showing the construction, of thestylus tube or retainer and of the support therefor. Fig. 4 representsan enlarged sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 5represents an enlarged sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Describing the parts by reference-numerals, 1 represents the body of thebox, said body being circular in outline and havinga c lindrical sidewall 2 and a head 3, carrying tl ie usual connection 4 for the horn ormega As will appear more particularly from Fig. 2, the lower portion ofthe box projects forwardly andis provided in the lower portion thereofwith a slot or opening 5 forthe reception of the stylus tube orretainer. Adjacent the head 3 the side wall is provided with a groove 6for the reception of the mica disk 7 and theretaining rings or washers8, which may be of rubber or any suitable ma.- terial.

- The upper forward end of the body is cut away for the reception of aplate or member 9, which plate or member may be removably secured to thebox-body by means of screws 10. A pair of ledges or shoulders 11 areprovided'at the junction of the lower incl ned portion with the upperportion, said ledges or shoulders receiving the lower end of. said orcompleted plate or memberQ. This plate or member 9 is scored to providea' vertically-arranged groove orchannel 12 for the reception of aplunger 13 and a groove or channel 14, said latter groove or channelbeing inclined with respect to the former and branching therefrom at apoint belowthe lower end thereof. The metal between said channels is cutaway at 15 to. permit the stylus 16 to be delivered into the channel12when the plunger 13 is elevated sufiicientl 17 denotes a fee or supplytube for styluses, said tube being of any desired length and having atits up er end a funnel-sha ed inlet 18 and being etachably connecte tothe upper end of the plate or member 9 in aline'ment with the groove orchannel 14 therein. The chambers 12 and 14 are closed by means of thetransparent plate 19, said plate being secured to the member 9, asscrews 10 and 21. i 22 designates the stylus-retainer. This retainerconsists of atubular member 23 in alinem'ent with the channel 12. Thelower end of the member 23 is contracted to embrace the lowered taperedportion of the stylus 16' and is provided with oppositely-105 catedslots 24, extending through the lower end thereof. The metal beingresilient, a friction-clamp is thus provided, which portion prevents thestylus from dropping out of the lower end of the tube 23. As the frietion necessary to retain the stylus against upward dis lacement wouldnecessarily be great and Won (1 interfere with the easy removability ofthe stylus from the tube when desired, 1 rovide a chuck for the upperend or head 0 the'stylus, as follows: At the proper distance from thelower end of thetube a perforation 25 is provided, the upper Wal of saidperforation being beveled at 26 to receive the inwardly-bent lower end27 of a flat spring 28. tained in place by means of a sliding collar 29,surrounding the tube'23. The surface of the tube is'cut away orflattened to receive said spring and to allow the outer surface thereofto be substantially flush with the surface of said tube, therebypermitting the sleeve to be adjusted to permit removal'of the spring andto vary'the resistance thereof to the passage of the stylus and abovethe one inthe clamp. The lower end of the spring projects within'thebore of the tube a sufliby pins or rivets 20 and the 7 by metallicwashers 33,

cient distance to engage the upper end of the head of the stylus 16 andprevent upward dis lacernent thereof.

n order to provide a resilient support for the stylus tube or retainer,I employ a flat spring 30, the end ortions of which are suitably securedto a ridge 31, carried b the lower end of the box-body, said bridgeiieing secured to the box-body, as 1) screws 32. This spring is spacedfrom the bridge 31, as through which and the bridge and spin extend therivets 34. The. central portion 0 said'spring is provided with anopening35 for the reception of the tube 23, the portion 36, which extendsthrough said opening, being provided with a screw-thread. By means ofnuts 37 and a washer 38 said tube is readily and adjustably secured tosaid spring. ,The bridge provides a firmsupport for the spring at thetime when the plunger 13 is beingoperated to eject a stylus therefrom,while the slight spacing of said spring from the bridge enables it tovibrate with the stylus-tube and transmit such vibrations through theconnection 39 to the disk 7.

It will be observed that the tube 17 and a portion of the channel 14therebelow provide a magazine for the storage of styluses end to end. Inorder to retain such styluses in'the magazine until such time as it maybe desirable to su ply them to the tube or retainer 22, I emp oy adetent consisting of a flat spring 40. This spring is convenientlysecured in placeby inserting an end thereof beneathvthe part of thetransparent plate 19, which covers the arm or bracket 41, projecting.from the plate 9. This end of the spring is convenient y secured by thescrew 21. slot 42 is provided in the plate 19, extending from a point"near the screw 21 across the channels 12 and 14. The spring 40 lieswith-' in this slot and fits more or less closely against the plate 9,said plate being recessed, as shown in Fig. 4, to retain the sprinagainst lateral movement. The free en of the spring is bent inwardly at43 toengage the lowermost stylus in. the magazine and hold it and thestylus thereabove from being supplied to the portion of the channel '14below said spring.

The plunger 13, to which reference has been made hereinbefore, isflattened throughi I out the major portion of its length, as will apw tohe slid freely beneath the sprmg 40. Thetion to pear from Figs. 1 and 4,thereby enabling it lower end 45 of the plunger is circular in sec-1permit it to engage the inner wall of the sty us tube or retainer 22.distance above theportion 45 it is provided with a cam or projection 46to engage with the lowermost stylus of the magazine. The

lower end of this projection or cam 46 is beveled, as appears 1n Fig. 1,and the upper end is downwardly inclined to correspon nearly A suitableto the contour of the screw 44, which serves as a stop to prevent thewithdrawal of the plun er, the ortion of the plunger in such case eingindicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1. The screw 44 has a wide headflattened on its under surface to engage the flattened surface of theplunger and prevent it from being .turned out of operative relation tothe spring 40', the plate 9 being countersunk to permit adjustment ofsaid screw.

With the parts in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 it will beapparent that by elevating the plunger to the position shown in dottedlines the stylus 16 in the lower part of the chamber 14 will be free tofall into the lower part of the channel 12. Before the end 45 of theplunger clears the lower end of the said stylus the projection 46 willhave passed above the spring 40 and said spring will have returned toplace in engagement with its stylus, thereby permitting only the stylus16 to pass into the lower portion of the channel 12 and thence into thetube 23. On its return movement the end of the plunger 45 suflicientlycovers the lower end of the channel 14 before the engagement of thespring 40 by the projection46 to prevent the stylus re leased byelevating the sprin from passing into the channel 12. It wil thus beseen that in normal operation the styluses willbe fed one at a time intothe stylus-tube 23 by the movement of the plunger. As the lower end ofthe tube 23 may offer considerable resistance to the discharge ofstyluses therethrough, the provision of the bridge 3 is an importantfeature as limiting the bending of the spring30 and preventing injury tothedisk'7 or the connection between the same and the tube.

' Aside froinits adaptability to eject styluses from the stylus tube orretainer the insertion of the plunger into said tube serves to lessenthe amplitudeof vibration of the said tube and to correspondingly muffleor diminish the volume of sound emitted from the box, the amount of suchreduction being proportionate to the distance the plunger is insertedwithin said tube. As it, is diflicult' to assemble the parts so that thestylus tube and plunger-groove channels are in exact alinement, it isnot necessary to make the lower: end'of the plunger of exactly the samesize as the bore of the tube, since with the parts slidablyout ofalinement a ortion of the lower end of such plun er wil engage a portionof the inner wall of the tube to de crease the vibration thereof.

v While I have described the invention in detail, it will be obviousthat such details may be modified ordeparted from more or less withoutavoiding the spirit of my invention, and I do not propose to be limitedto such details except as they may bepositively included in the claimshereto annexed or rendered necessary by the prior state of the art.

IIO

l ger in said first-mentioned channel having a I stantially asspecified.

2. A sound-box having in comb nation a range of movement permittinit'slower end to be withdrawn to uncover tie junction of said channelsand to be inserted into the tube or retainer to eject stylusestherefrom, subretainer for styluses, a channel in alinement with saidretainer, a plunger in said channel, a second channel, communicatingwith the first channel, wherein styluses may be stored, a sprinextending across said first-mentioned channe and having a portionrojecting into the second channel, and a p unger in said first-mentionedchannel having Ineansthereon adapted to engage said spring,substantially'as specified.

3. A sound-box having in combinations, stylus-retainer, a channel inalinement therewith, a magazine wherein styluses may be stored end toend and communicating with said channel, meansfor retaining the stylusesin said magazine, and a plunger in the chan-v nel adapted to'operatesuch retaining means to cause the release of styluses therefrom,substantially as specified.

4. A sound-box having in combination a' stylus tube or retainer providedwith means for normally retaining a stylus therein, a channel. inalinement therewith, a magazine for styluses, a channel connectin saidma azine and first-mentioned channe means or retaining styluses in'said. magazine, anda plunger in said first-mentioned channelconstructed and adapted when in lowered position to eject a stylus fromthe tube or retainer, in elevated position to permit a stylus to passfrom the connecting-channel into the firstsnentioned channel, and inintermediate positions to operate the retaining means to releasestyluses therefrom to cut off communication between the channels,substantially as specified.

5. In a sound-box the combination of a stylus-retainer, a magazine forsupplying styluses thereto, a sprin detent arranged to prevent the feedof sty. uses from the magazine to the retainer, and a plunger adapted toengage said deteht an... move it in a direction to permit the feed ofstyluses from the maga I zine, substantially as specified.

6.. In a sound-box, the combination of a stylus-retainer, a magazine forsupplying styluses .thereto,.a spring-detent arranged to engage thestylus in the magazine nearest the retainer, and a plunger-adapted toengage said detent and move it ma direction to release said stylus,substantially as specified.

7. In a sound-box, the combination with a stylus-retainer, of astylus-magazine in which styluses may be stored end to end, and meansfor feeding the styluses successively from said magazine into saidretainer, substantially'as specified.

8. In a sound-box, the combination with a stylus-retainer, of a plungerlocated in line therewith, and a stylus-magazine wherein styluses may bestored end to end, branchin from said retainer, the plunger serving tofee the stylusessuccessively from the magazine into said retainer,substantially as specified.

9. In a sound-box, the combination with a needle or st his-retainer, ofa stylus-magazine in whic styluses may be stored-end to end, aspring-detent controlling the advance of the styluses, and means forsuccessivel releasing said' styluses from the detent and eeding theminto said retainer, substantially as specified.

10. The combination of a sound-box having a stylus-retainer, a channelcommunicating therewith, a magazine wherein styluses may be placed endto end adapted to communicate with said channel, and means for ermittingor cutting off the supply of st uses from said channel to said retainer,substantially as specified.

1.1. A' sound-box having at its lower portion a stylustube or retainerand at its upper portion a 'magazinewherein styluses may bestored'end toend detachabl secured to the upper portion of the box-b0 y,substantially as specified.

12. A sound-box having in combination a stylus-retainer, a channel forstyluses communicating therewith, and a tube adapted to communicate withsuch channel and removabl secured to said box, the'upper end of sai tubebeing provided with a funnel-shaped inlet, substantially as specified.

13. A sound-box having in combination a bridge or'support having anopening therethrough, a flat spring secured to said bridge on opositesides of said opening'and spaced there rom, said spring having anopenmg in alinement with t e opening in the bridge, a stylus-tubehavinga threaded portion in the opening of the spring, and a nut on suchthreaded portion of said tube on each side of said spring, substantiallyas specified.

14. In a sound-box, the combination of a cylindrical body having itslower portion projecting beyond the plane of the upper portion andprovided with an opening vtherethrough,

. a bridge carried by such lower portion of' the extending through theopenings in the bridge and the lower portion of the body, substantiallyas specified. q

15. In a sound-box the'combination of a needle-magazine, a needle-tubeto receive the needles from the magazine, a clamp at the lower endofsaid tube, a plunger for forcing the needles from and into said clamp,a bridge, attached to the body of the. sound-box and provided with anopening therethrou h, a plate-spring secured totheupper side said bridgeand having the needle-tube passing through the middle thereof andthrough the opening in the bridge, a nut on said tube below the sprinand a washer and nut. on said tube above t e spring whereby the tube isspecified.

adjustably secured to'the spring, the bridge serving as a firm supportfor the spring and needle-tube when the plun er is forcing nee-' dlesfrom and into thechuo substantially as 16. A stylus tube or retainer forsoundboXes having at its lower end means for preventing a stylus fromdropping or falling out and a spring adapted to engage the upper end ofsuch stylus to revent it from moving upend of a stylus, Su .i

provided with retainnig means for preventlower portion, a

Wardly in said tu e'or retainer, substantia as specified.

17. A stylustube for sound-boxes having an opening in the wall thereof,a spring se'- cured to said tube and, havingan inwardlyprojectingportion normally extending into said opening, said opening beingpositioned to permit the engagement of a st lus by suchinwardly-projectingbportion of the spring to prevent the stylus ommoving upwardly in said tube, 4 substantially as specified.

18. A stylus-tube for sound-boxes having an opening in the wall thereof,afflat spring secured to the outside of the tube and having ,a freeendinturned to project through said opening, the opening beinglocated topermit such end of the spnng to engage the upper stantially asspecified. 19. A stylus-tube.'having its lower portion ing a stylus fromdroppingor falling out and having an openin n, its wall above such atspring having an inturned end ada' ted to project through said tube toenga e t e upper end of'a stylus, and an adjustab e sleeve surroundin"said tube and spring," substantially as speei iied. 20. In a sound-box,the combination of the box-body, said body being providedwith a memberhaving a score therein for the supply I of styluses, a transparent platecovering said shore and providing therewith a channel,

arid a stylus tube or retainer carried by said:

body, substantially as specified. 211 In a sound-box, the combination ofthe I box-body, said body being provided witha member havingv therein aplunger groove or channel" and a stylus-s 1 plying groovegor channel, atransparent p ate covering said sienna grooves or channels, and a stylustube or retainer in alinement with said plun or or channel,substantiallyas'specifi d. I

'22. In a sound-box, the combination of the boxbody, said body beingprovided with a member having therein a plunger groove or groove channeland a stylus-supplying groove or channel, a plunger in the latter grooveor channel, astylus-retainer carried by said body, a flat springextending across said grooves or channels and havinga portion projectinginto the stylus groove or channel to retain styluses therein,.saidplunger havin' an elevated portion adapted to engage sai spring andoperate it to move the projecting substantially as specified.

23. In a sound-box, the combination of a plate provided with aplunger-groove, a cover or said groove, a needle tube or retainer supo'rted with its u per end in line with the p unger-groove an having aclamp at its lower end, a tubular needle-receptacle removably attiichedto the said plate, and a plunger for forcing'the needles from and into.

said clamp, substantially as specified.

24. In a sound-box, the combination of a plate provided with aplungeir-groove and with a needle-groove branc ng from theplunger-groove, a needle tube or retainer supported withits up or end inline with the lunger-groove and aving a clamp at -its ower end, and aspring crossing the plungeroove and'serving'as a stop for the needles inthe needle-groove, a cover-plate for said grooves! having a slot forsaid spring, and a plunger in the plunger-groove for lifting said springto release aneedle'in the needle-groove and permit it to slide throughthe needletube to said clam substantially as specified.

25. In a soun -box, the combination of. a'

plate provided with a plun er-groove and with as needle-groove branc ingfrom the plunger-groove, a needle-tube supported with its upper end inline with the plungergroove andhaving a clamp \at its lower end, a flatspring attached to the face of said plate and extending across theplunger-groove to the needle-groove and serving as a stop for theneedles, a plunger in the plun er-groove provided with acamior liftinsai spring to release a needle from the nee le-groove, and a cover-platefor said groove provided with a slot 'for said spring, said; cover-platebeing transparent to permit theoperator to determine the correctposition and operation of the plunger, spring,., and needles,substantially as specified.

26. In a sound-box, the combination, with" the needle, or stylus, tubeor retainer, of a plun er for entering the same and thereby regu atingthe volume of sound, substantially as specified. 27. In a sound-box, thecombinatie'ngof a 80 portion thereof out of the path of the styluses inthe stylussupplying" groove or channel,

adjacent said stylus tube or retainer, of a member having therein a Stire providing part of a plunger groove or channel, a plate covering saidscore and completing said groove or channel, a magazine adapted tocommunicate with said groove or channel, styluses in said'magazine, aplunger in said groove or channel having a flattened surface plate and aprojection or cam and a for operating said retaining means,

' screw having its head overla ping said score the same from fied.

: 28. In a sound-box, the combination a on opposite sides of saidopening,

and the flattened surface 0' the plunger to serve as a stop for saidplunger and prevent turning, substantially as specistylus tube orvretainer, of a member having therein a plunger groove or channel inalinement with said tube or retainer, a magazine adapted to communicatewith said groove or channel, means for retaining styluses in saidmagazine, a plunger having a face and a cam projecting therefrom adaptedto operate said retainingmeans, and a screw having its head overlappingsuch flattened surface of the plunger, said cam having a surfaceconforming to the contour of the screwhead, substantially as specified.

29. A sound-box having, in combination, abridge or support having anopening therethrough, a flat spring secured to said bridge said springmeans for retaining,

l the body, a

in the presence of having an opening in alinement with the opening inthe bridge, a stylus-tube having a threaded portion in the opening ofthe spring, and a nut on such threaded portion of said tube on each sideof said spring, substantially as specified.

30. A sound-box having, in combination, a body having an openingtherethrough, a bridge secured to said body and extending across saidopening, said bridge having itself an opening in alinement with theopening in flat spring secured to said bridge and extending across saidopening, said spring having an opening therethrough in alinement withthe opening stylus-tube extending through the o eni'ng in said springand having an adjustab econnection therewith, substantially asspecified.

31. A sound-box having, in combination, a stylus-retainer,

a channel for styluses communicating therewith, and a tubular magazinewherein styluses may be stored end to end adapted to communicate withsuch channel, the upper end of said magazine being provided with afunnel-shape( inlet, substantially as specified,

In testimony whereof I ailix my signature two witnesses.

CHARLES A. G. PRITCHARD.

Witnessesz S. E. Fours,

B. W. BROOKETT.

in the bridge, a

